SENIOR councillors have hailed an event aimed at getting young people involved in their community as a success.

Darlington Borough Council's youth service, Zone Active, Eastbourne Community Partnership and Darlington Football Club hosted the Atom event at the 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena last week.

The aim was to encourage young people to get involved in activities in their area and have a say in decisions that affect their lives.

The event was open to anyone aged between 11 and 18 from the Eastbourne, Bank Top, Lascelles and Lingfield areas of Darlington.

Activities on offer included a climbing wall, martial arts, DJ workshops, mobile skate-park, street dance, drama and football coaching.

More than 60 young people attended the event which ended with an alcohol-free disco in the arena's Tin Shed bar.

Some of the young people involved have agreed to continue to help the youth service develop.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "There was a lot of enthusiasm from the young people and the youth service was keen to hear what they had to say.

"Youth workers are already working with young people on some of the ideas that came from the day.

"Hopefully there will be more events like this in the future so young people can continue to play a real part in their community and have an impact on decisions that affect them."